Emergency responders train to handle biological attack

Published: Friday, June 14, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 5:27 p.m.

Local and state emergency responders rushed to the scene of a mass casualty incident involving the release of a biological agent at Rosman High Wednesday morning. Luckily, it was just a drill.

Twelve departments from throughout Transylvania County and the state participated in the full-scale exercise, evaluating response capabilities to a mass casualty incident of a staged biological attack that struck the school at 7:30 a.m.

As part of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program, the drill focused primarily on preparing emergency responders to effectively respond to an incident that involves multiple patients and hazardous substances, according to news release from Transylvania County Emergency Services.

Nearly 120 officers were put to the test in the day-long exercise. Twenty-five members of the crowd were local students from the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office’s Shield Camp who served as the day’s “victims for decontamination,” said Robert Cooper, director of Transylvania County EMS.

Operations included a “school lockdown and scene security; patient assessment, triage and transport; and substance sampling and testing,” according to the release. Drills also focused on “decontamination; epidemiological investigation and isolation or quarantine; emergency communications and Emergency Operations Center activation; and hospital surge capacity.”

As part of the exercise, Transylvania County’s response to the incident was examined as well as its interaction with other agencies and assets that responded.

Evaluators judged the responding agencies on their actions and compiled an After Action Report and Improvement Plan with recommendations for future training, equipment and response procedures.

A majority of the exercise centered around Rosman High, Rosman Elementary and Transylvania Regional Hospital.

<p>Local and state emergency responders rushed to the scene of a mass casualty incident involving the release of a biological agent at Rosman High Wednesday morning. Luckily, it was just a drill.</p><p>Twelve departments from throughout Transylvania County and the state participated in the full-scale exercise, evaluating response capabilities to a mass casualty incident of a staged biological attack that struck the school at 7:30 a.m.</p><p>As part of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program, the drill focused primarily on preparing emergency responders to effectively respond to an incident that involves multiple patients and hazardous substances, according to news release from Transylvania County Emergency Services.</p><p>Nearly 120 officers were put to the test in the day-long exercise. Twenty-five members of the crowd were local students from the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office's Shield Camp who served as the day's “victims for decontamination,” said Robert Cooper, director of Transylvania County EMS.</p><p>Operations included a “school lockdown and scene security; patient assessment, triage and transport; and substance sampling and testing,” according to the release. Drills also focused on “decontamination; epidemiological investigation and isolation or quarantine; emergency communications and Emergency Operations Center activation; and hospital surge capacity.”</p><p>As part of the exercise, Transylvania County's response to the incident was examined as well as its interaction with other agencies and assets that responded. </p><p>Evaluators judged the responding agencies on their actions and compiled an After Action Report and Improvement Plan with recommendations for future training, equipment and response procedures. </p><p>A majority of the exercise centered around Rosman High, Rosman Elementary and Transylvania Regional Hospital. </p><p>The following agencies participated: Transylvania County Emergency Management, Transylvania County EMS, NC Emergency Management, Transylvania County Department of Public Health, NC Public Health Preparedness and Response, Transylvania County Sheriff's Department, Transylvania County Communications, Transylvania County Schools, Rosman Fire Rescue, Brevard Rescue Squad, Asheville Fire Department/Regional Response Team 6 and Transylvania Regional Hospital.</p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>